Leak Stereo 20

[Gruvin']

Found this this morning

 

[JBCobra]

With the right restoration, these little amps sound fantastic.
The best guy on the planet for the Leaks is Paul Greenfield at www.classiquesounds.co.uk

 

[bktheking]

Wow, nice find. Needs a special power plug, need to order it from the UK. Wonder what the deal with the V selector is, 220+ only?

 

[Gruvin']

Addition to my Leak!!!

A friend of mine calls me to tell me he has something for me and here it is:
Point One Stereo Preamp.

I had told him about my Leak ST20 find so when he saw this he got it for me

Now I know these don't have a reputation of being 'great' preamps but I'm still excited. Maybe turn it into a passive pre:scratch2:

We will see what happens:yes:

Still looking for a power cord for my ST20, I think I may have to get one from what seems to be the source: ebay uk..oh well.

Thanks folks:thmbsp:

 

[Phototone]

Looks like you may have to get a line-voltage step-up transformer, or get a plug to fit your electric dryer outlet (ha ha). It doesn't look like you can set it for 120v.

 

[gadget73]

I dont think I could gut a clean Leak preamp to make it a passive. Even if I didn't want to run it, it would have to stay intact, but then again I can't bring myself to tear apart anything that isn't completely trashed. Even then, I often find it more of a challenge to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

 

[Gruvin']

Looks like you may have to get a line-voltage step-up transformer, or get a plug to fit your electric dryer outlet (ha ha). It doesn't look like you can set it for 120v.

Hahaha, no Sh#%t

I dont think I could gut a clean Leak preamp to make it a passive. Even if I didn't want to run it, it would have to stay intact, but then again I can't bring myself to tear apart anything that isn't completely trashed. Even then, I often find it more of a challenge to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

I hear you gadget. If I had the skills to make it better than it currently is, I would but......we will see. Maybe I can motivate myself to build a passive pre:yes:

Also, I'm having a hard enough time finding a power cord for the amp so I'm not too thrilled about looking for the other cords I'll need to run them together, unless...someone comes to the rescue:yes:

Anyone?

Thanks folks:thmbsp:

 

[Tom Bavis]

I can't help with cables, but I have the Sams folder scanned for the Stereo 20 and might have the Point One Stereo as well. tbavis(at)rochester(dot)rr(dot)com

 

[Old_School]

The preamp will only work with a cable connected to the power amp unless it's already modified and you have an external power supply. Do you have the octal cable that connects the two?

To be brutally honest, there really isn't much you can do to a Point One Stereo to make it sound more than "OK" without a major gutting.

 

[Gruvin']

I can't help with cables, but I have the Sams folder scanned for the Stereo 20 and might have the Point One Stereo as well. tbavis(at)rochester(dot)rr(dot)com

Thanks Tom:thmbsp:

The preamp will only work with a cable connected to the power amp unless it's already modified and you have an external power supply. Do you have the octal cable that connects the two?

To be brutally honest, there really isn't much you can do to a Point One Stereo to make it sound more than "OK" without a major gutting.

I don't have the octal cable and I'm not sure it's something I'll be looking for:scratch2:

And yes, 99% of what I've read about the Point One is that they suck, and since it's recommended to use a passive pre for the ST20 a lot of people just gut them but keep the looks intact. I'm trying to remember if I've read anything about anyone actually updating/improving it, maybe;like you said; they just took everything out and started from scratch.....we will see.

Thanks folks:thmbsp:

 

[roberts67]

Hello!

Thanks for sharing. Awesome scores. Robert

 

[datafone]

Nice score, well done the 20 has a great rep'.

 

[Old_School]

The Stereo 20 is probably one of the best EL84 amps out there, including new stuff. It needs to be gone over though, as quite a few of the old parts will have drifted. I have a pair of TL12+ amps.

 

[BmWr75]

I restored a Point One Stereo preamp and Leak 20 amp for a friend. The restored amp sounded fantastic........the restored preamp not so much!!

 

[Gruvin']

Yes....99.9% of what I've read about the Point One preamp is not too flattering (and I'm being kind...but I have some time to decide what I'm gonna do with it:scratch2:

I've also read that it would be best to use a passive pre with the ST20 which is why I'm thinking about gutting the preamp......decisions, decisions

Thank you all for your responses:thmbsp: and keep them coming

 

[radioactive]

Yes....99.9% of what I've read about the Point One preamp is not too flattering (and I'm being kind...but I have some time to decide what I'm gonna do with it:scratch2:

I've also read that it would be best to use a passive pre with the ST20 which is why I'm thinking about gutting the preamp......decisions, decisions

Thank you all for your responses:thmbsp: and keep them coming

Why gut the preamp?just sell it to a collector and buy a seperate passive preamp?

 

[kyle]

I have an extra power plug and socket. I replaced mine with an IEC type.
PM me if you want it.

 

[JBCobra]

A passive pre is the best option for the Leak 20.
Get the amp sorted or you could really mess it up. Fresh caps, resistors, the works. The Russian PIO's sound awesome in there.
These little amps sound amazing when in perfect order. No hums or noises of any type.
Tube selection easily tailors the amps tone. You can really dial in your favorite sound.
Klipsch speakers seem pretty ideal.
Once you get it properly sorted you will have a killer amp.

 

[Old_School]

A passive isn't always the best option due to the limitations it has. If you can get it close enough to the amp a passive works very well though. I used one for a while 'till amp placement became an issue with the monoblocks.

There are some preamps with variable output, for example I use a Rega Cursa, which can output three different voltages. I use it at unity gain (it's actually a bit more then unity), and it can drive longer cables, which is where a passive can have issues if the cable capacitance is too high. Croft preamps can also be ordered with low output specifically for matching to high sensitivity amps like the Leaks.

I use mine with Tannoys - a very good match.

 

[Gruvin']

Why gut the preamp?just sell it to a collector and buy a seperate passive preamp?

I've thought about that but the person who gave it to me knew what it was and what he could get for it but chose to give it to me:yes:, it wouldn't be right to sell it:thmbsp:

A passive isn't always the best option due to the limitations it has. If you can get it close enough to the amp a passive works very well though. I used one for a while 'till amp placement became an issue with the monoblocks.

There are some preamps with variable output, for example I use a Rega Cursa, which can output three different voltages. I use it at unity gain (it's actually a bit more then unity), and it can drive longer cables, which is where a passive can have issues if the cable capacitance is too high. Croft preamps can also be ordered with low output specifically for matching to high sensitivity amps like the Leaks.

I use mine with Tannoys - a very good match.

The plan is to have the pre right next to/very close to the amp so hopefully that will help.

Nice preamps, the Rega Cursa and Crofts, but right now too rich for my blood:yes:


Thanks folks:thmbsp: